Jerusalem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Israel denied entry to two Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), alleging them of encouraging boycotts of the country.
The head of the European Parliament EU-Palestine delegation, MEP Lynn Boylan and MEP Rima Hassan were denied entry at Ben-Gurion airport and were required to return to Europe.
Israeli Interior Minister Moshe Arbel stated French politician Hassan has
“consistently worked to promote boycotts against Israel in addition to numerous public statements both on social media and in media interviews.”
Originally from Aleppo, Syria, Hassan joined The Left group in the EU parliament and, like Boylan.
The Left group demanded the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement – an understanding that underpins their ties – given the International Court of Justice’s investigation into crimes perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza.
Boylan expressed she had planned to meet with Palestinian Authority officials. Further, representatives of civil society organisations and people living under Israeli occupation. It is worth noting that Boylan belongs to the Sinn Fein party in Ireland. It has been among the most vocal nations in condemning the Israeli government over its treatment of Palestinians.
“This utter contempt from Israel is the result of the international community failing to hold them to account,”
Boylan expressed in a statement.
“Israel is a rogue state, and this disgraceful move shows the level of utter disregard that they have for international law. Europe must now hold Israel to account.”
Les trolls pro israéliens mentent autant que l’Etat génocidaire qu’ils défendent ; non ce n’est pas seulement Rima Hassan qui a été refoulée mais toute une délégation officielle du parlement européen qui a été empêchée de mener sa mission en territoires occupés en Palestine et on… pic.twitter.com/ZxkTMcNZz3
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) February 24, 2025
How does Israeli law target boycott supporters?
According to analysts, the MEPs’ expulsion follows recently enacted Israeli legislation that denies entry for individuals who have rejected Hamas’ attack on 7 October 2023 or backed international prosecution of Israeli soldiers.
This law applies to non-citizens and non-residents and builds on existing legislation preventing entry to anyone advocating boycotts against Israel.
According to critics in Israel and abroad, the original regulation was designed to stifle dissent. It has previously been employed to refuse entry to activists defending the Palestinian-led movement known as Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, or BDS.
While BDS advocates compare their movement to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, Israel argues the movement seeks to damage its legitimacy as a state and that some of its leaders are antisemitic.
